Tea bag

Abstract

An improved tea bag has a pouch containing tea and a string connected to the pouch. A securing element is connected to the string. The securing element is releaseably attachable to an object such as a tea cup or tea pot.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved tea bag. More particularly, the present invention relates to a securing element for maintaining one end of a string associated with the tea bag.

2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

In the brewing of tea, the tea is often enclosed in a porous bag which is maintained in heated water. A string is generally attached to the tea bag for convenient insertion into and removable of the tea bag from the heated water which is held in a container.

In the process of brewing tea, the public has found that stirring and/or pressing on the tea bag while it is in the heated water will speed up the brewing of the tea. While so stirring or pressing on the tea bag with a spoon, for example, the tea bag string will often fall into the water. The person brewing the tea must then retrieve the tea bag string.

Sometimes, without thinking, the person brewing the tea will attempt to retrieve the tea bag string with their fingers which will result in a burn or scalding from the heated water. Even if the tea bag string is successfully retrieved without injury, the person will resultantly have wet fingers from later touching of the string during removal of the tea bag from the water.

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems, as set forth above.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tea bag has a porous pouch containing tea and a string having first and second end portions with said first end portion being attached to the pouch. A securing element is connected to the second end portion of the string. The securing element is releaseably attachable to an object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tea cup holding the improved tea bag of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of the improved tea bag of this invention showing a preferred securing element;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the improved tea bag of this invention showing the preferred securing element connected to the string via a paper tab;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the improved tea bag of this invention showing another type securing element;

FIG. 5 is a partial view of the improved tea bag of this invention showing the securing element of FIG. 4 connected to the string via a paper tab; and

FIG. 6 is a partial view of the improved tea bag of this invention showing yet another type securing element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a tea bag 10 has a porous pouch 12 containing tea 14 and a string 14 having first and second end portions 16,18. The first end portion 16 of the string 14 is attached to the pouch 12 for insertion into and removal of the tea bag 10 from a container 19 for brewing tea such as a tea cup 20, a tea pot 22, as shown in FIG. 5 or a glass container 24 which is adapted for brewing what is known as sun tea and which is shown in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, securing element 26, such as glue 28, is connected to the second end portion 18 of the string 14. The glue 28 is preferably of the type easily releasable from an object and which is not harmful when contacted by a human. An example of such glue is the type that are used to temporarily stick paper notes to an object.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the glue 28 is connected to the string 14 via a paper tab 30 which is in turn connected to the string 14.

FIG. 4 show another embodiment where the securing element 26 is a strip of clinging type organic plastic 32, such as Saran Wrap™. This plastic strip 32 type securing element can be directly connected to the string 14, as shown in FIG. 2 with relation to the glue 28, or connected to the string 14 via a paper tab as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment where the securing element 26 is one part 34 of a two part 34, 36 hook and eye type fastening element 38 which is shown being used on a tea pot 40. The one part 34 of the two part 34,36 hook and eye type fastening element 38 is connected to the string 14 and the other part is connected to a sidewall of the tea pot 22, or a glass container 24 as shown in FIG. 6, or the tea cup 20 as shown in FIG. 1. An example of a two part hook and eye element 38 is Velcro™.

Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. In a tea bag having a porous pouch containing tea and a string having first and second end portions, said first end portion being attached to the pouch, the improvement comprising:

a securing element connected to the second end portion of the string, said element being releaseably attachable to an object.

2. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing element is glue.

3. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 2, including a paper tab and wherein the glue is connected to the paper tab which is connected to the second end portion of the string.

4. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing element is a strip of clinging type organic plastic.

5. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 4, including a paper tab and wherein the clinging type organic plastic is connected to the paper tab which is connected to the second end portion of the string.

6. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the securing element is one part of a two part hook and eye type fastening element.

7. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 6, including a container and wherein the other part of the hook and eye type fastening element part is connected to a sidewall of the container into which the tea bag is insertable.

8. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the container is a tea pot.

9. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the container is a tea cup.

10. An improved tea bag, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the container is formed of glass and adapted for brewing sun tea.